Facing the crowd, Esperanza Spalding explains that her next song, "Hold On Me," depicts some rather hard times in life. Her advice to the crowd to deal with such times is repeated through her mantra: "I'm okay, I'm okay, I'm okay." But before she can utter the last "okay," a shrill female voice from the audience interrupts her repetition.
"No, you're great!"
The crowd applauds in agreement as Spalding smiles humbly, and the band begins to play.
Backed by a talented ensemble, Grammy award-winning Jazz musician Esperanza Spalding performed at UB's Center for the Arts on Wednesday as part of her Radio Music Society Tour.
The setting was intimate, with a comforting rug at Spalding's feet, which made the stage seem more like home.
Another interesting prop was the enormous, human-sized radio that sat on stage and held some of the ensemble's sheet music. As the lights lowered, the theater filled with the sounds of a changing radio frequency.This established a playful vibe from the beginning, and the fake radio stations featured funny clips of music that typical jazz listeners might avoid on their radio.
Though the crowd was a mix of young adults and middle-aged fans, it was obvious from the energetic atmosphere that they were all aboard the Spalding bandwagon.
After an instrumental introduction by the ensemble, Spalding dance-stepped onto the stage and made it clear to the audience that she and the band were here to build a rapport.
"That was us," Spalding said. "And we are so happy to be here with you, now that you know us."
Spalding performed her newest album, Radio Music Society,inits entirety. She spoke to the audience between every song, weaving them together with little quips and relatable anecdotes that elicited laughs and head nods from the crowd.
Spalding had no problems being spontaneous during her set musically. In addition to featuring a long solo by alto saxophonist Tia Fuller, the upbeat "I Can't Help It" also featured a "call and response" game that Spalding played with her audience.
The audience was hesitant at first to sing out loud, but the encouraging and relentless Spalding eventually had the theater full of voices from professionals and fans alike. The interaction between the crowd and the performers played a significant role in ultimately making this concert a fun and warm atmosphere.
Though the crowd showed a strong sense of personality, the Mainstage Theatre was not a sold out venue. Sophomore biomedical engineering major Dave Rubach attributes the turnout to the minimal advertising done by the school.
Another aspect of the show that left students wanting more was the distanced structure of the venue. Numerous times throughout the night, Spalding acknowledged the lack of intimacy and even urged people to get up and dance if they felt so inclined. To her, the venue's conservative nature was a harsh contrast to the spirited musicians on stage. This, however, was not a deal breaker for Rubach.
"If it [were] a different venue, it might have been more lively," Rubach said. "But regardless, I think everyone loved it."
Eventually, some members of the crowd decided to take Spalding up on her offer. By the end of the show it was not strange to see some of them standing in front of their seats or on the side of the auditorium, dancing to the music in high spirits.
The extraordinary level of musicianship on stage also contributed to the success of the night. Spaulding switched between a classical upright bass and electric bass guitar throughout the set, fingers moving swiftly up and down their necks without fail as she grooved through the riffs in each song.
Her other contribution to the night was her renowned voice, which maintained a smoothness and level of power throughout each song that ultimately sets her apart from other vocalists. She sang and scatted effortlessly, capturing the essence of jazz and adding her own flavor to it.
"She is like an angel on stage," said Christina Douglas, a junior neuroscience major from Columbia University. "I love that she has this Latin American vibe...I never heard her before [tonight], but I'll definitely be listening to her from now on."
With substantial understanding between audience and performer,Spalding stumbled while describing her feelings, which caused one outspoken fan to yell to her: "We got you, girl!"
After the show, Spaulding happily met with her fans and spoke with them as though she'd known them for years, joking around and offering wide smiles to all who approached her. Kevin Baptiste, a senior geography major, was among the line of fans waiting to meet her.
"I have all of her albums except for the first one...but I've been a fan of hers for a while now," said Baptiste. "If I just get her to sign something, take a picture with me, I'll be set [for weeks]."
Many who attended had not heard Spalding's music before, and based on their comments, it seemed clear that this concert was a step in the right direction for her.
This was the typical show every performer should strive to put on - there was no crazy flair, no distracting pyrotechnics or light shows to take away from the music.
In fact, the only visualizations were simple shapes and colors displayed behind the performers.
The magic ingredient that made this show successful was its authenticity. Spalding and her band are genuinely talented. The fans that attended are genuinely interested in her music, and everyone present was eager for a genuine, good time.
Students looking to indulge in some of Spalding's jazz can check out her new album in stores or grab some tickets for her next show at Webster Hall in New York.
Email: arts@ubspectrum.com
